SUBJECT: Updates from Office of the Provost - October 2026
October 14, 2026
Dear Colleagues,
As we move further into the fall semester, campus is buzzing with energy, connection, and school spirit. Homecoming was a wonderful reminder of what makes our community so special, bringing students, faculty, and staff together to celebrate our shared traditions and pride. It has been exciting to see so many members of our campus community participate in the festivities and embrace the spirit of the season. It’s hard to believe we are already approaching the halfway point of the semester!
This message highlights some of the important updates, upcoming events, and opportunities to help keep you connected and informed throughout the semester.
Fall 2026 Key Dates
- Thanksgiving week (no classes): Saturday, Nov 21 – Sunday, Nov 29
- Study days: Tue/Wed, Dec 8–9 & Sat/Sun, Dec 12–13
- Final exams: Thu/Fri, Dec 10–11 & Mon–Wed, Dec 14–16
- Fall commencement: Saturday, December 19
- **Reminder: The Social Sciences Building is closed due to renovations for the entire 2026-2027 academic year**
Curriculum Submission Deadlines
- Please note that for undergraduate courses or programs that need to go through UCDC, the submission deadlines are:
- October 21, 2026 for new courses and most course changes
- November 25, 2026 for new programs and program changes
- For graduate courses or programs that need to go through the Graduate Subcommittee, the submission deadlines are:
- November 11, 2026 for new courses and most course changes
- December 1, 2026 for new programs and program changes
Program Assessment
Program Assessment reports are due this academic year! Please connect with Jessica LaGrange ([email protected]) with questions and be on the lookout for a detailed email from the Assessment Subcommittee next month.
Early Warnings
Faculty play a critical role in student success by submitting early warning reports, especially before the October 28 selective drop deadline, when students still have the greatest range of options. Once an alert is submitted, students immediately receive helpful resources, and staff typically follow up within 24–48 hours to connect them with tutoring, counseling, advising, writing, math and science support, or simply someone who can help them navigate college. Evidence shows that this timely outreach works and 77% of students who interacted with staff after receiving an alert returned to campus the following semester. Even a brief email exchange can reengage a struggling student, so please submit alerts as early as possible, including comments and grades when available. Your report may be the connection that helps a student persist and succeed. Thank you for your continued support of student success.
Provost’s Faculty & Staff Book Showcase
The Office of the Provost is excited to continue the Provost’s Faculty & Staff Book Showcase, a celebration and recognition of the achievements of our community who have published professional books in the preceding academic year. The Showcase will feature faculty/staff from a range of disciplines, celebrating their advancements in knowledge, research, and creative activity. The goal of the Showcase is to expose the university community to the breadth of research and increase student awareness of the importance of these endeavors. For more information on what types of work are eligible and to submit a book for consideration, check out the Provost Faculty Book & Staff Showcase website. Please submit your work for the fall semester by October 16th.
In-Person Digital Accessibility Day Event
The Office of Digital Education will host an in-person “Digital Accessibility Day” event on Monday, October 26, 2026. There will be presentations throughout the day by accessibility experts from The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, University of Michigan-Flint, and Michigan State University! Chris Casey and Chen Wang from UM-Dearborn will also be available throughout the day for drop-in support.
In order to make this event as open as possible, registration will not be required. Feel free to come to as many sessions as you are interested in, whether that is just one or all of them!
As this is an in-person event, the sessions will not be recorded.
Event Details:
Date: Monday October 26, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Location: University of Michigan-Dearborn - James C. Renick University Center
Kochoff C - Presentation & Learning Space
1227 - Drop-In Accessibility Support & Networking
Lunch will not be provided, though there is a break in the schedule from 11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided throughout the event.
Add this event to your calendar.
SAVE THE DATE: Engagement Incubator Thursday, Dec. 3rd 4:00 - 5:30pm
Mark your calendars for the second annual Engagement Incubator, hosted by the Office of Community Engaged Learning and Global Engagement! The Engagement Incubator is a space for faculty to meet with community partners and build collaborations for engaged coursework and research projects. Any faculty and community partnerships and projects that grow from this event will be given priority in the 2027 OCEL Seed Grant cycle and 2027 SURE applications.
Community partners include: LAHC, Brilliant Detroit, Transportation Riders United, City of Dearborn - Department of Economic Development, and more. Faculty, please RSVP using this link.
Commencement
UM-Dearborn Commencement will be held on Saturday, December 19, at the Fieldhouse. The schedule is as follows:
9:00 a.m. ceremony celebrating undergraduate and graduate students from the College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters (CASL) and the College of Business (COB).
1:00 p.m. ceremony celebrating undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students from the College of Education, Health, and Human Services (CEHHS) and the College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS).
Faculty presence at our ceremonies is a meaningful way to support and celebrate our students and contributes greatly to the spirit of the occasion! Faculty who are participating need to complete this quick form to confirm their participation as part of the platform party for a ceremony. If regalia is needed, faculty should add to the UM-Dearborn order via the customer and order number below. Orders are due by Friday, November 21.
Customer Number: 21005049000
Order Number: 5619004
Once in the UM-Dearborn account, you can either find your name (if you have ordered before) or select "New Faculty Member" and add your details. You can order a rental gown, cap, and hood, signifying your highest degree earned from your alma mater. Additional details regarding commencement are available on the Commencement website.
Sign Up for Office Hours with the Provost
I am excited to announce that I will be holding office hours this semester. These sessions offer a great opportunity to connect directly with me, share your perspectives, and discuss topics that matter to you. Sign up to meet with Provost Kridli.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Homecoming Week filled with fun, connection, and school spirit! Thank you for all you do to support our campus community and help make it such a welcoming and vibrant place. Go Blue! Go Dearborn!
Respectfully,
Ghassan Kridli
Interim Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs